(1) 2 8-figure units and a 'baker's dozen' in case one is miscast or lost or… If not needed, craft stores have wooden 'plaque' bases, at reasonable prices. Can paint and mount and tell friend "I always thot you could use a personal bodyguard, so I recruited one for you…"

(2) Lots of 'Late Roman Legionary' figures around – ordered TTG's because he's 'heading to the fight', not 'standing around waiting for orders'

(3) In the 'upcoming' HBO series based on L. Sprague de Camp's _Lest Darkness Fall_ (4)

(4) I met Mr. de Camp a few times. He was an 'old-school' gentleman and scholar. There are few of his mettle around these days. Read his books, you should.

Yep. The figure depicts a sort of leather cuirass that was thought to have been introduced during the period, worn over a linen/cotton subarmalia (an undercoat, so the "flaps" on the shoulders would be white).

This is now generally discounted, being based on a misunderstanding of artistic canon and the realities of what "hardened leather armor" actually is.

However, belief in this type of armor hasn't died out entirely – at least one recent Osprey features it in several illustrations.

"However, belief in this type of armor hasn't died out entirely – at least one recent Osprey features it in several illustrations."

Raffaele D'Amato in particular is in favour of moderatley flexible leather or linen armour being used right through the period. This is from his interpretation of things like creases and what he interprets as hems and seams shown in sculpture. D'Amato has produced quite a few books in the last few years for Osprey and other publishers.

I painted mine as metal (rather as H. R. Robinson noted in his opus as being what the ancients did with their statuary).

I am considering it mail with links too fine to be accurately portrayed on the figure.

I have done the same with my OG15 and will do the same with my older Essex figures that have the same armor – their newer LIR infantry are in mail.

Insofar as D'Amato I find Robinson's arguments more persuasive and the Italian fascination with leather armor rather odd. I have also sliced quite easily through the side of a boot with an exacto knife – if leather is thin enough and flexible enough to have folds (as noted by Robinson) it is of little use as armor…